Best Nakiri Knife 2020
A nakiri knife is a knife that is designed specifically for the purpose of cutting vegetables. These are Japanese-style knives that are thinner than knives which are designed to complete tasks such as cutting meat or even bone. One of the distinctive features of a nakiri knife is the design of the blade, which rests flat on the cutting board rather than having a camber from front to back. That means that you will do your cutting by moving straight up and down rather than rocking the blade back and forth. In addition to the flat profile of the blade along the cutting edge, these knives are also typically formed of a thin blade in order to move through vegetables with ease. A thick blade might make it hard to do accurate cutting that leaves all of your food a consistent size – but you should have no such trouble when you use a nakiri.
After reviewing all the top Nakiri knives available, we’ve selected our top 7 picks in the comparison table below. We’re confident you’ll find the perfect model for your needs.
Comparison Table
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Product | Wallet | Our Score |
|---|---|---|
Shun Classic (our top pick) | $$$$ | 97 |
$$$$ | 96 | |
$$ | 94 | |
$$$$ | 92 | |
$$ | 89 | |
$$ | 86 | |
$$ | 83 |
Chopping vegetables can be a tedious task that makes up a large portion of the time you spend preparing a meal, but owning a quality nakiri will make the process far more enjoyable. While you can get the job of cutting vegetables done with just about any sharp knife, a serious chef will appreciate the advantages that are presented by a nakiri. Whether you are a professional chef or just a serious home cook, you don’t want to overlook the power of good tools in the kitchen. By picking out the right nakiri for your needs, you will likely find that you enjoy the process of cutting vegetables more than ever before – and you will probably do a better job as well.
In this article, we have highlighted five of the best nakiri knives. Each of these knives shares the classic nakiri style, but each is also slightly unique from the rest. It will be up to you to decide on exactly what you are looking for, and exactly what kind of budget you have for this purchase, before making your final selection. In the end, we hope that you are able to find the perfect knife for you from the list of five excellent option below.
Top Five Rated Nakiri Knives
1. Wusthof Classic Nakiri Vegetable Knife
Among kitchen cutlery brands, Wusthof is one of the leaders. In this case, they have offered up a classic nakiri which features all of the characteristics that you would expect to find from this style of knife. It has a granton-edge blade which is angled on each side to make for easy chopping and slicing. The air pockets which are lined up on each side of the blade which mean that food is likely like to stick during the chopping process. High-carbon steel has been used in the construction of the blade, and a full tang design gives the product a great feel in the hand.
One quick look at the reviews will tell you all you need to know about the quality of the product. It has received an excellent overall rating, with tons of compliments to go around. Users state that this knife feels good in the hand, it is well-balanced, and it makes the chore of cutting vegetables and easy task. Reviewers also report that the knife came to them sharp right out of the box, meaning it was ready for duty right from the get-go. If you would like to add a high-quality knife to your collection, the Wusthof Classic Nakiri is a solid pick.
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2. Kai 6716N Wasabi Black Nakiri Knife
For those buyers who would like to bring the cost of their new knife at an affordable price, but would still like to use a quality product, this knife from Kai is a contender to be considered. This knife is a chance to get into the world of nakiri-style blades without breaking the bank. It has a blade made from Daido 1K6 high-carbon stainless steel, and the blade is bead-blasted for a great looking finish.
For a knife that sells for a lower price point, this model also gets great reviews. Many of the previous buyers make a point of highlighting that they feel this is a great knife for the price that they had to pay. Some have commented how the knife is just the right size for veggie prep work, and that it has a nice feel while in use. If you are looking at keeping your budget under control in the process of acquiring a great knife, take a look at the Kai 6716N Wasabi Black Nakiri Knife to see if it will meet your needs.
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3. Yohihiro VG10 16 Layers Hammered Damascus Nakiri Japanese Vegetable Chefs Knife
There is an aesthetic element to any knife that you pick out, as most people enjoy having good looking equipment in addition to having that equipment be able to get the job done. If looks matter to you, the Yohihiro Nakiri is one that you will want to be sure to see for yourself. This is a truly stunning knife, with a hammered finish that gives it a unique look. The blade has a VG-10 Japanese stainless steel center core offering great sharpness and edge retention properties. Rather than being mass-produced, this is a handcrafted product that you will be proud to own. This knife is on par with some of the other high-end knives on the market from a cost perspective.
With that in mind, the price tag hasn’t stopped previous buyers from loving just about everything they find with this product. Buyers note that the blade of this knife is extremely sharp, it is beautiful to look at, and it is well-made. Also, it is noted that the rounded tip of this knife makes it possible to cut with a rocking motion if you so choose. To combine form with function in a nakiri knife, take a look at the Yohihiro VG10 for yourself.
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4. Calphalon LX Series Cutlery 5’’ Nakiri Knife
Moving back down the cost scale, this nakiri knife is from a brand that is well-known to many home cooks – Calphalon. This brand is respected for delivering quality products at a reasonable price, and that seems to be the case with this knife. With a retail price that is affordable, you can get your own solid nakiri for a fraction of the cost of some of the high-end options. It has a full tang design which offers stability to the knife, and it has a classic nakiri shape.
Just as is the case with the previous three knives on the list, this is another model that has gotten excellent reviews from previous buyers. Some of the comments include the sharpness of the blade, the agility of the smaller 5’’ size, and the build quality. While you might be able to save some money by purchasing this model as compared to more expensive models, it doesn’t seem that you will be sacrificing much in the way of performance.
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5. Shun TDM0742 Premier Nakiri Knife
To finish the list, we have the highest priced knife among our top five. This model from Shun, which is one of the top names in the kitchen cutlery business. For a price, you get a classic nakiri with a beautiful hammered finish, a pakkawood handle, and slightly curved toe to allow the knife to rock against the cutting board.
The majority of the compliments that have been left for this excellent knife speak to the overall quality of the product. Balance is one of the specific points that is highlighted, but more than anything, users simply want to comment on how it is a superior product to most other offerings on the market. If you are interested in only the best for your kitchen, give the Shun TDM0742 Premier Nakiri Knife some strong consideration.
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Conclusion
You don’t have to look far to find quality nakiri knives to pick from today. After you have taken some time to review all of the options on this list, it will be time for you to make a decision based on your budget, your personal preferences, and more. Use all of the information available and you should be able to land on a confident choice in the near future. Thank you for taking the time to check our list, and happy nakiri shopping!